Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets presented the Diamond of Excellence Award to a community member recognized for going above and beyond in the Frankfort community at the State of the City Monday evening.
Sheets introduced the award this year by stating that the recipient of the Diamond of Excellence Award acts as a shining light in the Frankfort community who consistently strives to better the community and those around them. This year, Sheets announced that photographer and artist Jennifer Davis was chosen as the 2024 Diamond of Excellence.
“I would like to introduce a citizen in our community that’s gone above and beyond in the City of Frankfort,” Sheets said. “Jennifer Davis is hereby recognized as a Frankfort Diamond of Excellence.”
Sheets continued to describe the meaning of the award that was presented to Davis this year, stating that Diamonds of Excellence are pivotal community members who act selflessly to better the community around them.
“The City of Frankfort Diamond of Excellence Award is given to a community member whose life is a shining example of service to the community,” Sheets said. “This award is designed to inspire others to make a difference Frankfort through volunteering, championing, community engagement and supporting local organizations and businesses.”
Sheets expressed that Davis was chosen as the recipient due to her commitment to volunteering in the community, fundraising for the residents of the county home, conducting free events for the community throughout the year through the Frankfort’s Unified Neighborhoods group, such as the Halloween Trunk-or-Treat event, the Easter Egg Hunt and many more, among other volunteer activities.
“She’s the award recipient for her outstanding service to the City of Frankfort,” Sheets said. “Jennifer has committed countless hours to bring community events to life in the City of Frankfort, including the haunted house, the F.U.N community activities and countless volunteer hours by capturing hundreds of photos for our community to enjoy.”
Davis was also recognized for her pursuit to continue raising awareness for and supporting local artists throughout the entire county as she continuously aspires to create opportunities not only for her own artistic works but also for others to shine just as bright.
“Jennifer has worked tirelessly to bring awareness to local artists through multiple murals and window paintings in the downtown district of Frankfort,” Sheets said. “Her ideas are innovative and bring community enagagement to Frankfort. The City of Frankfort is a better place because of Jennifer Davis.”
Davis accepted her award on Monday with humility, and she expressed how honored she felt later that evening. Davis commented that she may have been notified of the award beforehand, but the weight of the honor had not lost its value as her name was called and she approached the stage.
“This week I received news that I would receive the Diamond of Excellence award,” Davis wrote. “I lost it crying when I opened the email. The City of Frankfort and people in it has brought me so much more than I could ever bring to it. Thank you guys.”
Davis joins the ranks of those who have received the Diamond of Excellence Award alongside MaryLynn Peter, who received the award in 2023 for her work with the Frankfort Farmers and Artisan Market.